Taliban jihad against West funded by emeralds from Pakistan

Thousands of emeralds are pouring onto world gem markets from the Swat valley in Pakistan, sold to fund the Taliban's jihad against the West.

Militants have begun reopening lucrative emerald mines which had been closed by the government, since they took full control of the poor but picturesque region in the north of the country under a controversial peace deal last month.

They are using revenue from the sale of the emeralds to help finance attacks on Nato forces in neighbouring Afghanistan, and to support their drive to extend harsh sharia, including public whippings and summary executions, into more regions of Pakistan.

Swat holds one of Asia's two largest-known deposits of high quality emeralds, from where the precious stones are smuggled to Jaipur, India, and transported to Bangkok, Switzerland and Israel. Here they are cut and polished into the lustrous gems that adorn the world's finest jewellery, sold to unsuspecting customers who have no idea that the money they are spending may end up financing the Taliban.

"We receive one third of the profit, the rest goes to the workers," Muslim Khan, the Taliban spokesman in Swat, told The Sunday Telegraph.

"We know that all the minerals have been created by Allah, the mighty and the merciful, for the benefit of his creatures. We should avail the opportunity."

25 Mar 2009, 2024 hrs IST, Times Now

Taliban take over emerald mines in Pakistan's Swat region

The Taliban in Swat Valley have taken over operations in its emerald mines of the region. The mines, which produce emeralds of international quality, were previously controlled by the Pakistani government. (Watch)

Swat was the scene of 18 months of conflict between the security forces and Taliban militants fighting to implement Islamic Sharia law. The mines were taken over following a ceasefire between militants and the government.

The mines, along with the Panjshir mines in Afghanistan, hold the largest known deposits of emeralds in South Asia.

According to the terms of a deal, the Taliban take one-third of the yield of each set of miners. The rules, which include amputation for theft and strict adherence to Sharia rules, mean only those with strong Taliban sympathies are allowed to operate.

So far the Pakistan government has made no move to contest the Taliban's control of the mines. This is despite the fact that the funds from the emerald operations are likely to be a huge boost to Taliban coffers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4315551.cms

Haven’t diamond prices been in free-fall lately? Won’t this just make emeralds even less valuable?

Between Iran, Syria, NK, and Pakistan it is like a slow train wreck. The egineers at State are asleep at the wheel (or is it the break and crank?).

"Not to worry. Thanks to Obama, crack teams of Euros will soon arrive and wipe out the Taliban.

/s"

Actually, you are on to something. The stacks of Euros (currency) are a form of Dhimmi tax that most of the European countries will be happy to pay. Obama is not far behind with his aid package to Pakistan which will partially end up in the hands of terrorists.

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